If you have watched NFL games in the past 10 years, you’ve probably seen the Herm Edwards commercial with the hilarious rant about the playoffs. I can’t help but think about that commercial as the Nationals limp through the end of this season.
Going into this season, I don’t think many Nationals fans thought we had a chance to make the playoffs. But then, oh yes we did. The offensive juggernaut that was the Nationals kept us in the hunt even in the face of rock-bottom pitching (especially the bullpen).
That taste of potential magic has turned sour for many fans. After trading Mead, Garcia Jr. and Griffin, and with Wood on the IL, the team has slumped badly. Like you, I am disappointed. But, hopefully like you, I am enjoying the game and still celebrate our team and what is to come.
I remember being at the last game of the season in 2009. On a beautiful fall day when the Nationals had been eliminated from playoff contention for weeks, we enjoyed dinner at the tables in centerfield when rookie Ian Desmond hit a solo home run in the fourth inning off Braves pitcher Jair Jurrjens. The Nationals went on to defeat the Atlanta Braves 2-1 in 15 innings. I remember feeling like a kid on Christmas morning.
It was the fifth season of our new team after a 30+ year baseball drought in DC. We had been in our beautiful new stadium for two years. The promise of future success was in the air; indeed it arrived ten years later with a World Series victory.
I am trying to retain that jubilant feeling about baseball now. I’m celebrating the little things.
How about the team hosting Lincoln Knight as a coach under the Make-a-Wish program and securing a victory so he is 1-0 in his coaching career.
How about the incredible performance by Cavalli on August 13 when he took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs. With Griffin gone, Cavalli is now our ace and he certainly stepped up to the mound like an ace.
How about Trey Lipscomb of the Red Wings being named the International League Player of the week for August 10-16. Lipscomb went 12-26 (.462) with four home runs, two doubles, 10 RBI and 8 runs scored over 6 games. Lipscomb is only 26 and hopefully will contribute in the show in the near term.
And, although not Nationals related, how about Joshua Baez of the Cardinals hitting a home run in each of his first three at bats in his MLB debut. No player in MLB history has ever done that!
So, although the Nationals record is not where we would like it to be, there is a lot of good happening in and around baseball. I don’t know about you, but I can’t look away.
Let’s be the envy of sports.
#thenatslady #theswarm
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